Day of the Dead

On Wednesday October 29th our grade 2 class, along with Mrs. Regier’s grade 2’s video conferenced with the Old Jail Art Centre in Texas to learn about Day of the Dead. El Dia Los Muertos is a holiday for remembering and celebrating those who have passed. We listened to an interactive story book, Rosita y Conchita, and watched as the characters danced and sang songs to tell the story of Rosita, a girl who is celebrating the life of her sister who’s passed.

Here is what we learned about Day of the Dead:

1. Day of the Dead is celebrated every year on November 1st and 2nd.
2. It is Mexico’s most important holiday.
3. Day of the Dead is celebrated in homes and in graveyards.
4. In homes, people create altars to honor a family member who isn’t alive anymore.
5. In graveyards people clean the graves, and leave pictures, flowers, and gifts.
6. Day o the Dead also has parades, parties, and festivals.
7. People dress up in colourful costumes. They wear masks that look like skulls with a lot of decorations and make-up.
8. The children make candy skulls and decorate them. You don’t eat the candy skulls. If you did they could break your teeth!
9. Josh made an interesting connection between Day of the Dead and Remembrance Day. Josh explained that both holidays are a time for us to remember those who are no longer with us. Great connection Josh!!!

After the story, the Old Jail Art Centre led the students through an art activity. Each student created their own luminaria. A luminaria is a paper lantern lit up by a small candle. Leaders of the Las Posadas parade carry the luminarias through the streets during this holiday.